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08-19-2012, 12:24 PM | #26 |
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The author of the original article is kind of a BMW prick isn't he. The first paragraph is all about how he shamefully owns a Toyota minivan, which he named the "Anti-Christ" presumably because it's so unbecoming of his X5 driving self. I would've thought that he only drove an E30 M3 and a Caterham or something. "Anti-Christ" my ass.
As for FWD BMWs, I think it's in principle defensible. You can take the point of view that BMW should only make types of cars that can be truly sporty, but you could also say that as long as they try to make every model the sportiest choice in class, they can expand into mundane categories as well without ruining the brand image, very much like what Porsche has done. My problem is that BMW seems not even committed to making their cars the sportiest in class any more. The new 5 series is a very nice car that nonetheless is not that sporty any more, and the 1 series also is not nearly as fun as it could've been. So if this MPV thing is going to be surprisingly fun for an MPV, that would make it more or less ok in my book, but I even doubt that would be true.
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08-19-2012, 04:22 PM | #27 | |
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06-23-2013, 10:14 PM | #28 |
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We're getting a new family hauler and its down the a Toyota Sienna XLE AWD with Nav versus a Ford Flex.
The Flex with Ecoboost is pretty impressive but not cheap. With bells and whistles we are looking at around $40K versus $34K or so for the Toyota. Our Mazda MPV has been great but at 10 years old its starting to have a few issues. Still the only minivan to ever be introduced by the manufacturer at an Autocross.... |
06-24-2013, 09:07 AM | #29 |
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Check actual prices as you can get as much as $9k off on the Flex. I've seen MSRP of $52k listed for $43k. The one thing that irritates me about the Flex options is DVD function which I find a highly desirable option for families is basically an aftermarket add-on.
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06-24-2013, 09:57 AM | #30 |
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06-24-2013, 10:12 AM | #31 | |
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06-24-2013, 11:19 AM | #32 |
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06-24-2013, 12:36 PM | #33 | ||
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06-24-2013, 03:34 PM | #34 | |
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The kids already have ipod touches or old disconnected iphones, DS's and what not. Again nothing to do with a BMW mini-van but there you go. |
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06-24-2013, 03:38 PM | #35 | |
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Why do you need to plug in a game system when the iPad is a game system? With iOS 7, there will be aftermarket gamepad support. I'm sure android already supports it. DVD systems in a new car just seems like dying tech to me. |
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06-24-2013, 04:54 PM | #36 |
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06-24-2013, 04:59 PM | #37 |
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I thought that van was closer to $37k? I've been trying to talk the wife into a mini van for a few years, but she hates the image. I personally find the "image" of an SUV far more offensive and ironic, but she's the one who drives the kids around 90% of the time.
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06-24-2013, 05:22 PM | #38 | ||
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There's also the auto manufacturer's research on who buys minivans versus SUV's. Quote:
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06-24-2013, 05:30 PM | #39 |
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Well I think that assessment is a bit harsh. My wife would MUCH rather be driving a normal car, but the fact that you have to keep your kids, and their friends, in a car seat until they are graduated from college pretty much means you have to buy a van or SUV or buy car seats that are very uncomfortable for the kids. Let's face it, mini vans aren't much better for the environment than a cute ute. We get 25mpg in our SUV on highway trips to Tahoe.
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06-24-2013, 09:22 PM | #40 |
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The main issue with the Bus / Vanagon is the lack of space between the bumper and passenger compartment to meet current safety standards. Even that one with the engine in the front has so little space. Why do all the minivans have a big pointy nose that sticks out so far? Because you need one to have enough of a crumple zone to pass safety regs that didn't exist in the VW Bus or even the Vanagon days.
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06-25-2013, 06:46 AM | #41 | ||
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Everyone is trying to "greenwash" their products and the auto manufacturers have developed a huge number of crossover models that provide all those emotional cues SUV buyers want without driving so poorly or getting such a terrible mileage. And the third row is too small once your kids get over about 4'6" and if you use the third row there's hardly any storage room. Sliding doors are far preferable for kids and the interior volume of minivans is as much as double. We have three kids and yesterday we had five kids on a trip. That's typical of minivan use. Here's the research on minivan buyers in contrast. Quote:
Last edited by Garandman; 06-25-2013 at 07:32 AM. |
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06-25-2013, 09:19 AM | #42 | |
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Many people are going to streaming and tablets a lot cut the cord and don't even use cable or satellite, I'm not one of those. Once you can have ubiquitous wifi with unlimited downloads everywhere then I can see streaming a great deal to the in car system. Or when my kids are older and have their own tablets/phones. But for little ones popping in the dvd and having a couple hours of bliss during the long drive is more than worth it. |
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06-25-2013, 09:47 AM | #43 | |
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06-25-2013, 11:21 AM | #44 |
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06-25-2013, 11:50 AM | #45 |
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06-25-2013, 11:55 AM | #46 | |
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You're preaching to the choir when it comes to a minivan being a more efficient layout and a better suited tool for the job of hauling a family around. But all this "research" could just as easily be targeted towards folks who buy a turbo charged econobox that gets much worse gas mileage than the non turbo version...you know, pretty much the reason this site exists. |
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06-25-2013, 12:12 PM | #47 | |
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I hear what you're saying about the silliness of turbocharged economy cars, but most of us around here actually do use the extra horsepower on a regular basis. I use it on pretty much every un-clogged entrance ramp I encounter. Sure, some of us delude ourselves into thinking we're Colin McRae, but most of us just enjoy driving something that accelerates a bit harder and corners a bit better than the average econobox. Lugging around a low range transfer case to soccer practice without ever venturing off-road is a special kind of narcissistic self-delusion. |
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06-25-2013, 01:01 PM | #48 | |
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06-25-2013, 01:19 PM | #49 | ||
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I log all my MPG and have been driving a OBW 3.0R for the last couple of weeks as I hurt my knee. It only got 1-1.5 mpg less than the four cylinder OBW we had prior. Apples-and-oranges as the OBW is bigger, heavier, and has a 5EAT. Nonetheless I was surprised to find the WRX got better mileage commuting in and out of the city by almost 1mpg. Given the price of Premium I'm not saving money, but it appears the promise of a smaller turbocharged engine saving gas in city traffic is real. |
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06-25-2013, 01:28 PM | #50 |
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Pretty much the only road trips we take are to Tahoe. Our Toyotaxus has always returned about 25 give or take 0.5mpg. It's done surprisingly well in the snow, too. I was worried when the electronic nannies aggressively kicked in the first time I drove it in the rain, but in the snow it allows gentle throttle in an oversteer situation to keep the back end from catching up with the front. Definitely doesn't do scoobynuts in the resort parking lots, but if you accidentally overdrive a corner by a bit, it lets you appropriately hang the tail out.
I still want a mini van. |
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